With “Black Panther’s” being the highest-grossing movie of 2018, “Aquaman” set to make a splash in December and “Captain Marvel,” “Hellboy” and “Dark Phoenix” slated to arrive in theaters next year, it’s clear that superheroes need no saving in terms of their popularity and continue to be a smart investment for all parties involved.

Such is the case for John Hohn, who on Oct. 6 opened the second location of his comic book shop, JAF Comics, at the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township.

The business, which originated 3.5 years ago at the Trolley Station Outlet Mall in Lower Nazareth Township, sells a wide array of comics from DC, Marvel and other publishers.

“I’m confident if it wasn’t for all these superhero movies, we wouldn’t be opening a second location,” Hohn said. “The movies have made comic book characters more mainstream. They aren’t a nerdy thing anymore.”

The new store carries thousands of new and used titles — “The Avengers,” “X-Men” and “Fantastic Four” to “Green Arrow,” “Doctor Strange” and “Venom.”

“Batman,” “Deadpool,” “The Walking Dead” and “Star Wars” are among the most popular, Hohn said.

The shop features a top shelf of rare comics, a wall of new releases (about 70 arrive each week) and a room full of $1 comics, organized in boxes.

“One thing that separates us from most other comic book shops is that we bag and board our comics,” Hohn said. “The bags keep the comics from slumping, so pages won’t have creases.”

Other merchandise includes board games, bobbleheads, plush toys, posters and a wide variety of action figures – from G.I. Joe warriors and Freddy Krueger to characters from “The Big Bang Theory” and “Ghostbusters.”

JAF’s new location occupies a former spa, and old massage rooms have been converted into gaming space, which can be reserved for $10 for the first three hours and $5 for every additional hour.

JAF Comics, which also sells drinks and snacks, is open 2-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Info: 484-292-1914.

More at Palmer Park

Palmer Park Mall is full of activity these days as Verizon Premium Retailer R-Wireless is readying its newest location near the main entrance.

The store, with an exterior storefront and entrance, will offer a broad range of products and services including smart phones, tablets, home automation and small business solutions, according to a news release.

“We are excited to be moving from a kiosk environment to an in-line smart store format that allows customers direct access from the parking lot,” Elvin Berndt, vice president of R-Wireless, said in the release

The mall is moving forward on the long-term leasing of the former department store space, according to mall general manager Jack Mitchell.

“Nothing to report at this time as the national retailers we are dealing with don’t do things overnight,” Mitchell said in an email. “Reaction has been positive and we are moving forward with several concepts.”

Bethlehem Township news

As I reported this week, a Bethlehem Township building that was previously a destination for chalupas, nachos and quesadillas has found new life as a home of curly fries, gyros and roast beef sandwiches.

Arby’s, the quick-service chain with about a dozen Lehigh Valley locations, held its grand opening Monday at 3020 Easton Ave.

Harnessed participants of all ages navigate various rope bridges, which are about 10 feet off the ground.

“[The ropes course] just fits in with the core idea of our park — fun, safe, physical activities for the youth of our community to do,” said Michael Badway, general manager of FreeFall. Info: freefalltrampolinepark.com

Odds and ends

Another place to entertain your children is Mystical Treatsss in Hellertown

Fantasy scenes of all kinds — from a lifesize white and pink unicorn kicking up its front legs to a menacing black and blue dragon soaring above — come to life at the 1310 Main St. store, offering nitrogen ice cream, cold brew coffee, fantasy toys and more.

The store, which opened Wednesday, occupies the former space of Pondelek’s Florist & Gifts, which last year moved to 202 Main St. in the borough.

Co-owner Bob Weil, a former international businessman, was inspired to open the store after visiting a fantasy shop in the Netherlands.

The shop, featuring colorful and whimsical decor, offers a private party room where children can create crafts, as well as a retail area selling a wide array of merchandise — from books, puzzles, puppets and stuff-your-own unicorns and dragons to candy, greeting cards, princess costumes and mermaid dolls and tails.

You can pick a unique combination of ice cream flavors such as Pixie PB&J (jelly ice cream, peanut butter swirl, Nutter Butter crumbles and chopped peanuts) or create your own variety by choosing a base, flavor, swirl-in and topping.

First, hot dog shop Johnnie Lustig’s Frankfurters was planning to close its retail operations indefinitely Saturday, after nearly three years of business at 835 N. New St. The business’ wholesale operation — owner John Lustig delivers products to five area restaurants — will continue.

“It’s the road construction,” Lustig said while motioning toward construction workers on New and Goepp streets on Tuesday. “Over the past 15 months, I’ve gotten absolutely crushed due to this ongoing road work.”

Lustig said he saw business boom during the first couple years, but has battled a “seemingly never-ending amount of road projects,” including a months-long UGI gas line replacement project in the first block of East Goepp Street and 800 block of North New Street.

Lastly, Brazilian steakhouse chain Rodizio Grill closed its 5-year-old restaurant on Lehigh Street in Allentown — its only Lehigh Valley location — a couple weeks ago, according to a worker, who was removing furniture from the building this week.

Retail Watch keeps track of new stores, restaurants and banks in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.